Affordable Health Care Act Information Meeting Is Feb. 23

Friday, February 15, 2013

An informational meeting about the Affordable Health Care Act (ObamaCare) will be held at Eastgate Town Center on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m.-noon. The meeting is being sponsored by local volunteers in partnership with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign.

Katherlyn Geter, who sits on the board of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, will speak about the provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act and how local citizens may apply for health insurance coverage under the Act. Ms. Geter is also regional coordinator for Southeast Health Care Insurance Assistance Program, which provides information and advocacy about Medicare.

Attendees may register to receive updates and full information by mail or email. Enrollment will begin Oct. 1 for insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The meeting is open to anyone who is currently uninsured or who wants information about how the Affordable Health Care Act will impact them, their families or business.

The Affordable Health Care Act is designed to "provide affordable access to health insurance through a variety of provisions including expansion of Medicaid, mandates for preventative care, elimination of discrimination because of preexisting conditions and creation of state and/or federal exchanges offering a menu of insurance plan options. Low and middle-income persons and families may qualify for tax credits or premium assistance to assist in paying for health insurance."

Legislation regarding prohibiting of the expansion of Tennessee’s Medicaid program (TennCare) is currently under consideration in the state legislature. Tennessee, the 17th most populated state in the United States with approximately 6.5 million residents, has 869,500 non-elderly (representing ages 0-64) who are uninsured. Of the number who are uninsured 549,600 are White; 185,100 are Black and 103,900 are Hispanic; 492,200 are male and 377,300 female

The Tennessee Health Care Campaign has been advocating for universal access to health care since 1989. THCC works in collaboration with advocacy groups, affected constituents, community leaders, and policy makers to influence positive change in public health and health care.

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